Iron Crisis Part 2 (IC)

[Spore]

Senna Human Arcana Cleric AC: 18 HP: 33/33 PP: 17 PIv: 12 PIs: 17 Conditions: - Concentration:- What does a follower of Ilmater do out here anyway? Senna inquires. As far as I know the One Who Endures seeks out suffering because it is their credo that the suffering in the world is finite, and thus they should suffer for others? Or is this some kind of spiritual journey for you?

[RandomWombat]

Cheerful Sam Half-Dragon Warlock | Imp Familiar AC: 12 HP: 39/39 | AC: 13 HP: 10/10 PP: 10|14 PIv: 15|10 PIs: 11|13 Conditions: --- | -- "Oh, are you a cleric of Ilmater then?" Sam perks up a little at the discussion sprouting up around the beggar. It could be this fellow is the dragon the bandits doodled on their map - maybe they were too paranoid to attack the old dragon on the side of the trail. Or maybe it really was that he just didn't have anything worth taking. Curiosity getting the better of him, he figures it can't hurt to ask. "I uh," chuckling, he rubs the back of his neck, running his clawed digits along the tough dorsal scales. "I've never actually met someone else with the dragonblood. Do you know anything about dragons?"

[Amnestic]

Vala follows suit on Senna and Caelyn, dropping a single coin of her own into the old greyscale's tin. With each coin that drops he brings it to his ear and rattles it, ascertaining its worth by sound alone. "You don't need to be a cleric to wish blessings on others," he croons back at Sam and Senna's queries. "Just someone who was helped and wants to pass on what little help of my own these old bones still have left in them. A problem shared is a problem halved." He nods along to his words softly, as if taking comfort in them.

"I know there's a dragon not far off," he offers, bending his head back to 'look' at the sky, as if he might be able to see the beast flying overhead. "Scales of green but her heart's a bit blue lately. Best to stay clear unless you've got some art or woodwork as a gift. There's worse things to meet than a dragon though. Dragons are simple usually, but man?" His head dips as he laughs genially. "They're a whole other beast."

Spoiler: Caelyn Herb Gathering

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This roll will be for the rest of this day, so don't need to make another one.

She doesn't spot any weeping death flowers or foreverdream trees but she does find enough hibiscus flowers to brew a laxative dose for a half-dozen or so, maybe a dozen if you go on the weaker side of a dose. Double it up if you're using your mandrake root.

[RandomWombat]

Cheerful Sam Half-Dragon Warlock | Imp Familiar AC: 12 HP: 39/39 | AC: 13 HP: 10/10 PP: 10|14 PIv: 15|10 PIs: 11|13 Conditions: --- | -- The prospect of meeting a real live dragon causes Sam to perk up. Not just because of his heritage, but because of their rarity. His enthusiasm is contained, however, by the news of what kind. "I've read that green dragons have an evil nature. Is that true?" he asks, hoping the old monk knows more than he.

[Amnestic]

The old man takes a deep breath and lets it out slow, the air whistling through his nostrils. It's not an angry breath, rather deeply thoughtful. Clearly it's not a question he can answer easily. After a few moments of whistling nose exhalation, accompanied by just the tiniest puff of white smoke, he answers. "She's petty, quick to anger, and will swallow you whole without a second thought, but that's not all she is, and that's not all green dragons are. Best make up your own mind, if you should ever meet, though you'd be safer if you didn't."

[Spore]

Senna Human Arcana Cleric AC: 18 HP: 33/33 PP: 17 PIv: 12 PIs: 17 Conditions: - Concentration:- Senna understood perfectly. Sam like all in their ragtag team of orphans did not know his parents, but it was worse for him. Apparently his parents were not even mammals, yet he lived with humans and not kobolds or lizard people or sahuagin. Asking said dragon was a good way to ensure to know more about his heritage. Senna just was not sure if it would yield any results. First, Sam was one of the most untypical dragons she knew, tho the only one outside of text books. Second, his scales were shining like polished brass, and neither grey nor green, which made Senna think they could not possibly be related, but dragons know of each other as even the smallest ones are creatures of great power. She approached Sam. Quite interesting indeed. What kinds of art does the Green One prefer? Has she got a name? And will she stay, because we are kinda in the middle of something entirely else right now.

[RandomWombat]

Cheerful Sam Half-Dragon Warlock | Imp Familiar AC: 12 HP: 39/39 | AC: 13 HP: 10/10 PP: 10|14 PIv: 15|10 PIs: 11|13 Conditions: --- | -- With a reserved nod, Sam reaches out and drops his own gold coin into the old lizard's can. "I get it, I think. We're more than just our nature. Thanks." A meeting with a dragon is both an exciting and frightening prospect. It could hold a lot of answers to his origins, but- it could also be very dangerous. Their group is strong, stronger than they were before. But are they really dragon strong? He glances aside at Senna as she approaches. There's still some bitterness from the events at the bandit camp, but Sam offers a small smile to let her know he's working past it. He's never been one for long grudges. "I'm not sure we want to go seeking her out right now, yeah. But better to be prepared to bribe an angry dragon if she comes at us for being in her turf, right?"

[Amnestic]

"Something you make yourself is better than something you bought. Doesn't even have to be good, she just stores up little bits and pieces of people's lives. I don't think she's going anywhere anytime soon, though you never know with dragons." He might have added a wink to his statement, but being blind can take the point away from such a gesture. Then he leans back in his seat, 'looking' to the sky once more, basking in the warmth that he can't see. "Think it's about time you kids were moving on. Just about time for my mid-morning nap."

[RandomWombat]

Cheerful Sam Half-Dragon Warlock | Imp Familiar AC: 12 HP: 39/39 | AC: 13 HP: 10/10 PP: 10|14 PIv: 15|10 PIs: 11|13 Conditions: --- | -- "See you around, Ilmater monk guy," Sam bids the old drake farewell with a habitual wave of his hand, though he pauses mid wave and realizes the guy can't see it. Starting once more down the path, he now keeps one eye to the sky on occasion, in case of a glimpse of green flying around above.

[purepolarpanzer]

Caelyn Syol'arael Wood Elf Druid AC: 15 HP: 39/39 PP: 17 PIv: 10 PIs: 17 Conditions: -- Concentrating on: Thank you for your advice, sir. May peace precede you, wherever you may go. Caelyn bows to the beggar dragon, then nervously reaches back and puts a hand on her story staff. She sincerely hoped they did not meet this green dragon, as she had no desire to give up her own personal treasure.Moving on then? She absentmindedly asks her family and Vala.

[Amnestic]

The oldscale waves you off as you leave, humming a quiet tune as you fall back into rough formation to continue following the trail through the forest. Perhaps an hour on, you come across a small rough cloth bag tied to a tree branch directly in your path, such that you couldn't miss it even if you tried. Crudely sewn into the bag's side is Ilmater's sigil, a pair of hands bound at the wrist with a red cord. Vala's the first to grab it down from its hanging branch. It jingles as she does so, and she confirms the contents. "Eight pieces of gold. Twice what we gave the old man." She holds one coin up to the sunlight, watching the light reflect off its gleaming surface, before tossing the bag - and its remaining seven pieces - to Sam. "Cosmic reward for a good deed?"

[RandomWombat]

Cheerful Sam Half-Dragon Warlock | Imp Familiar AC: 12 HP: 39/39 | AC: 13 HP: 10/10 PP: 10|14 PIv: 15|10 PIs: 11|13 Conditions: --- | -- Catching the cloth sack, Sam takes out two gold coins from inside, turning them over between his fingers. He smiles and tosses the sack over to Senna next, after taking 'his share'. "So it seems. It's kind of comforting. To know that there's still someone out there who cares enough to reward the little kindnesses of ordinary people."

[Spore]

Senna Human Arcana Cleric AC: 18 HP: 33/33 PP: 17 PIv: 12 PIs: 17 Conditions: - Concentration:- I expected something else to be completely fair. But yes, he tries to give us a sign. Still I ask myself. We are not used to hiking cross-country but we are much fitter than an old man. How did he overtake us? There is more to this doddering dragon than met the eye, Sam. Senna had various theories, but no evidence to support any of it. They ranged from this being an avatar of Ilmater, to a transformed silver dragon over to just being Sam's father in disguise, watching over his brood. A good hour in she looked at Sam trying to pry whether his scales were actually just silver and being deeply embarrassed being discovered watching her brother all the time, Senna's face blushed in a heavy red and she immediately abandoned all theories. Spoiler: Whispers to those who want to pay attention to her Show Maybe he is just a nice old man...

[Amnestic]

"Maybe he was a ghost, or some sort of weird forest spirit?" Vala volunteers idly with a shrug. Not that she knows about such things really, it's an utterly layman perspective and if questioned admits as such. She's happy enough to take the situation at face value though - they did a good thing, and were rewarded. The how and why don't seem to matter all that much.

Later that day

With your well-gotten gains in hand (and pocket), the path beckons ever further. You make good time, and with the map provided manage to skirt around both the dragon's potential hunting grounds and the boars (though you do hear the latter's squealing and hoofbeats in the distance). Through brown trees and green bushes you press on and on, until, just past midday, you reach the crudely drawn yet smoothly worn cave as depicted on the map. It's entrance sits at the base of an enormous tree, far wider and taller than those surrounding it, and plunges immediately into darkness. The dirt around the entrance is freshly scuffed by foot and boot both, and it looks like there's at least one animal that has used the cave as a shelter in the recent days. Unfortunately from your current position, you can't see just how deep or how far it extends down, merely that it curves into darkness and that the angle prevents advanced elf and infernal sight from judging its true size. You can tell that while the edges of the cave are worn, it's not 'technical' work, and tool usage seems to have been limited or non-existent, with edges smoothed by elements and time rather than by manufactured technology.

[RandomWombat]

Cheerful Sam Half-Dragon Warlock | Imp Familiar AC: 12 HP: 39/39 | AC: 13 HP: 10/10 PP: 10|14 PIv: 15|10 PIs: 11|13 Conditions: --- | -- "What, you think Ilmater himself come down to say hello?" Sam jests, chuckling and rolling his shoulders in a shrug. "Maybe he's just one of those crazy good old martial artist types. Catching flies out of the air, whooping bandits and letting them go, that kinda stuff," as they go he fields his own hypothesis for their strange encounter. The staring doesn't catch his attention too much. With all the word of dragons flying around, he finds himself looking over his brassy scaled hands more than once himself, in thought. At their arrival at the large tree and the ominous cave beneath, he whistles softly. "Mysterious cave under a tree. Definitely getting druid vibes. Are you picking up any secret druidic markings or messages, Cae?"

[Spore]

Senna Human Arcana Cleric AC: 18 HP: 33/33 PP: 17 PIv: 12 PIs: 17 Conditions: - Concentration:- If you haven't noticed, Sam. We bore witness to the summoning of a gnoll demon lord, and we had an ugly encounter with one quite close to Cyric. While my theory stands on thin ice, and I assume we are not worthy of direct divine attention, it could very well be one of a god's immortal agents. After all, we are accompanied by a devil, one of our midst carries an what I can only describe as ancient Elven relic, Vala seems blessed by a dead god herself, and Caelyn holds the seeds of a powerful dryad. I must say a disguised archon or angel would fit into the picture really. That, or a lurking dragon interested in us. We are involved in the well-being of this whole dukedom, as well as some other odd assassination plot and have Harper friends, so I guess we do garner some interest. We are not the nobodies fit to clean the kitchen or to catalogize archives anymore. We are bound for greater things, for better or worse. Senna closes, looking at the daunting cave. First things first, do we want light or not? I am for it, for the light does not carry far into the cave itself, and even if you guys are comfortable in darkness, I need to see you to bless and heal you. With that, Senna makes her holy symbol glow, with the obvious idea to hide it inside her shirt if trouble brews ahead.

[purepolarpanzer]

Caelyn Syol'arael Wood Elf Druid AC: 15 HP: 39/39 PP: 17 PIv: 10 PIs: 17 Conditions: -- Concentrating on: Considering the two coins she received in repayment, Caelyn can't help but wonder what would have happened should he given the old dragon a few hundred gold. Then she snaps back to reality when Sam questions her about druid symbolism. She scrambles up to marked stones and closely searches them for meaning. Then she comes running down the hill, managing to stop before running into everyone. If we rest here then we better be prepared for a fight. This cave is part of something's territory, and broaching it may piss something off. I may or may not be able to sooth such a beast... if it is a beast at all. She turns to Senna and nods towards her wand. Light, if we go in at all. It won't be to our benefit if we are jumped in the dark by something.

[Amnestic]

Vala quietly nods in agreement with Caelyn - presumably because she doesn't want to be going in totally blind and fumbling in a dark cave that might be who knows how deep. That she doesn't need to hold a torch thanks to Senna's spell is just icing on the figurative cake. It's not exactly a tight squeeze to get into the cave, but it is a little bit iffy to twist with your backpacks and weapons to squeeze down into the gap between the roots. It opens up quickly though, and with Melian guarding Rosc Roche, you don't need to worry about trying to fit the cart and the horse down into the depths below.

Past the entrance you emerge into a small room, with the trees roots directly above you creating a tangle web of criss-crossing shapes across the ceiling, forming a dome over the top. Scattered around the room are the remains of what was probably once a campsite. There's a number of bedrolls scattered around the centre of the room, surrounding what looks to be a single stone perhaps the size and length of a normal human forearm. It's shaped like a tiny obelisk, though with soft edges rather than cleanly cut, and along two sides are a number of carved runes that appear to be using the same runic script as dwarven, though beyond that you can't discern it.

There's a few torn waterskins and a half-spilled bag of jerky on the ground, but perhaps most notably is a clear trail of blood leading further into the darkness from an exit on the other side of the room. The blood trail is as wide as a torso, rather than a small amount of droplets. It's not fresh however, the blood is clearly dry and has been for some time. There's other signs of a fight as well - an axe lodged into the cave wall, a discarded shield that's been hewn in two, and a few arrows with their shafts shattered, but none of it looks like it occurred today, at least. There are no bodies to be found here.

[RandomWombat]

Cheerful Sam Half-Dragon Warlock | Imp Familiar AC: 12 HP: 39/39 | AC: 13 HP: 10/10 PP: 10|14 PIv: 15|10 PIs: 11|13 Conditions: --- | -- "I guess it just always felt like the Good powers were more hands-off," ponders Sam, at Senna's theories. "Or busy with bigger crises. Or something. I guess it wouldn't be too far fetched for an angel to be out keeping an eye on things." In the cave chamber below, at the ruined campsite, he spies the hewn shield. "Looks like they pissed off something big, but this cave is a little small for a dragon. A bear maybe?" he suggests. Such a massive animal might be able to break a shield in two.

[Spore]

Senna Human Arcana Cleric AC: 18 HP: 33/33 PP: 17 PIv: 12 PIs: 17 Conditions: - Concentration:- Senna enters the cave and mentally curses herself for not even considering buying divination magic from Thalantyr. Again she was faced with foreign scripts, unable to deceipher them, so she just pockets the obelisk. Seeing the blood trail and discarded items, Senna has a different interpretation. Could be a bear, but would you assume the jerky was there if it was a carnivore? Maybe it's a bear that is smarter than the average bear. There was of course the story of Yoginash the Great, a wizard cursed into the body of a bipedal bear by a malicious Night Hag who stole his human essence. Only if he kidnapped 31 picknickers in a magical basket, the curse would be lifted. But only this time, Senna was not referencing stories told to small children on sunny saturday mornings but rather druids in the form of various predator animals.

[cigaw]

Melian Galanodel Eladrin Bladesinger AC: 13 HP: 34/34 PP: 14 PIv: 17 PIs: 11 Conditions: -- Concentrating: -- "Alright, you all scout for a bit and I'll guard our backs for now. Let me know what you find and when you want me to join you." Melian takes Rosc Roche's bridle and leads him to a small patch of tall grass and tender brush, letting the horse graze. She finds a comfortable spot and sits with her back to a tree, keeping watch over the cave entrance. Spoiler: OOC Show Going with the flow here to avoid teleporting and retconning.

[Amnestic]

Cave Crew

"Not sure I like the idea of camping with whatever did this lurking nearby," Vala says, eyeing the cloven shield with clear concern. "We should probably make sure we're safe before setting down for lunch."

With Senna's Light, Vala can take the lead well enough, which is good as the tunnel is narrow, with Sam frequently having to duck his head below probing roots or particularly spiky rocks. After a minute or two the tunnel forks, with one path holding the blood trail and the other being 'clean'. Cleaner, at least. Taking the bloody path first, you proceed on through the ever-descending path beneath the forest. Just short of a turn you hear voices ahead, though you don't see any light in front of you. It's difficult to make out what they're saying due to the distance and the low volume, but Caelyn can discern at least three voices - two deeper, and one with a higher pitch. Vala, silently, turns to the rest of you and holds up her spear in a questioning manner, silently asking if you should go in spells-blazing, then mimes sneaking with her hands, again following it up with a questioning gesture.

Pony Patrol

You settle in to wait for the 'all clear' from those depth-delving with Rosc Roche. Minutes tick by of nothing much at all, save for the burble of a nearby brook and the cheeping of birds in the air. Then, quite suddenly, a lemur bursts out of the underbrush to your right, rushing straight across your path out of sight. As soon as it disappears, a Faerie Dragon - blue scales, diaphonous butterfly wings and cheeping voice giggling with happiness - emerges from the same spot the lemur came from. It doesn't seem to acknowledge you initially, engrossed in its chase, but it also hasn't yet disappeared out of sight.

Spoiler: Melian History

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It's highly likely the old half-dragon wasn't alive at all, and instead a spirit/manifestation of a now-deceased follow of Ilmater. These manifestations are rarely seen in busy places, and instead appear in secluded locations to individuals to test (and encourage) charity. Those who respond positively are rewarded, while those who spurn charitable giving are often cursed with ill luck, a karmic rebuke, though it never lasts too long - it is intended to show the error of their ways, not as a punishment.

This specific manifestation was most likely Arjhan the Turned. Once a warlord who served his mother, a white dragon, in conquest of the cold north to amass an enormous fortune. In his latter years, following his mother's sudden death at the hands of adventurers, he had an epiphany and converted to the service of Ilmater, donating his vast fortunes to the poor and needy, and spending his remaining days helping others. When he eventually passed from the strain of building an orphanage for children who lost their parents in war, his body was said to be carried off by Ilmater himself. Sightings of him are usually near dragon lairs, and he seems to have a specific focus on adventuring parties, perhaps due to the manner in which his mother was killed.

[RandomWombat]

Cheerful Sam Half-Dragon Warlock | Imp Familiar AC: 12 HP: 39/39 | AC: 13 HP: 10/10 PP: 10|14 PIv: 15|10 PIs: 11|13 Conditions: --- | -- Sam responds to Vala's mimed 'sneaking' with a nod of approval, not wanting to go in swinging without knowing who this is first. After all - there may have been a fight and a blood trail, but these woods are also rife with bandits and worse. He wouldn't want to attack someone unprovoked without knowing who they are.

[purepolarpanzer]

Caelyn Syol'arael Wood Elf Druid AC: 15 HP: 39/39 PP: 17 PIv: 10 PIs: 17 Conditions: -- Concentrating on: Shaking her head at the aggressive approach, Caelee nods along with Sam at the sneaking gesture. She then raises her hand in a "wait" signal and begins whispering in Druidic. Soft shadows begin to wrap around the party, muffling sound and shrouding them all in gentle darkness. Motioning to stay close, she takes the lead, moving slowly and trying to keep behind cover as long as possible.

Spoiler: OOC

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Casting pass without trace. Anyone who stays within 30 feet of Caelee gets a +10 to stealth. Rolling stealth now- (1d20+16)[34].

[cigaw]

Melian Galanodel Eladrin Bladesinger AC: 13 HP: 34/34 PP: 14 PIv: 17 PIs: 11 Conditions: -- Concentrating: -- Melian stretches and tries to relax but she can't shake a nagging feeling in the back of her mind that she's read something about the elderly dragonman they so briefly met. She takes out her books and begins cross-referencing passages until she finds the name she's looking for. "Arjhan," she says out loud to herself. Somewhat satisfied but now even more curious at their meeting and what it may portent, she looks up to the sky and mutters "I hope you are at peace." Her musings are then interrupted by the running lemur and cackling faerie dragon and Melian can't help but smile at the beautiful creature. She reverts to Elvish and greets it in a gentle voice. "Hello there," she says plainly, searching her brain and trying to remember if faerie dragons could speak and, if so, what languages. She unfortunately comes up short. Shrugging, she resorts to Draconic. "The lemur went that way, but if you'd like to stay awhile I have some berries and meat I'd be happy to share." Fëanáro hops down from his perch on Melian's shoulders and slowly approaches the faerie dragon, his tongue darting trying to catch the newcomer's scent and his tail swishing in a friendly manner.

[Amnestic]

Cave Crew

With Caelyn's spell in place, even the clanking armour of Senna and clumsy footsteps of Vala are accomodated for in keeping you covered. Rounding the corner is a wider room, stretching off to your right. There's a short drop directly in front of you, and then a far larger drop beyond that. The dirt gives way to a small amount of greenery, the cause of which is obvious - a single shaft of light beaming through a hole in the ceiling, small, barely noticeable, but sufficient to allow plant growth, though it's mostly moss instead of grass or flowers. The greenery itself is splattered with dried blood, and bones are scattered all love, most of them with clear bite marks indented into the chewed marrow.

Three figures - two men and a woman, are sat on the far side of the room on a slightly elevated position. One of the men has his back up against the wall, and therefore is facing in your direction, while the other two appear to be administering medical aid. They're dressed in little more than rags, torn strips of cloth barely covering them, with the exception of the apparently injured one who has additional strips cloth and leaves pressed around his torso. The injured one semi-frequently makes gasping and groaning sounds of pains as the other two attempt to patch him up. None of them look clean or well groomed, with unkempt, unwashed hair. Their tanned skin is covered with patches of dirt, and possibly worse than dirt. Should you get a close look at any of their faces there is clear evidence of blood - fresh and dry - matting their maws, jaws, chins and cheeks. A large two-handed axe, its blade chipped and worn due to lack of care, rests in hand's reach of the woman who otherwise looks too small to wield it effectively.

As you round the corner to see them, none of them seem to hear you, but the uninjured man does hesitate for a moment, sniffing at the air. He's noticed something, but he's not quite sure what - yet.

Spoiler: Medicine Check on bones

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Spoiler: DC1

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When you think about it, everyone is a skeleton.

Spoiler: DC10

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There must be at least a dozen dead, going off the rough numbers - possibly as many as twice that. Cause of death unknown due to being chewed on after death.

Spoiler: DC15

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Though there are a few animal bones mixed in, the majority of the bodies appear to be human or human-sized humanoid. Potentially one of the pelvic bones indicates a child due to its small size.

Spoiler: DC20

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There are roughly 20 bodies here - three animals (deer or goat, more likely the former) and 17 humanoids. The pelvic bone is actually that of an adult female gnome, not a human child.

Faeriedragon Friendship

The small creature flitters its wings, glancing between Melian and the bush nearby, back and forth, back and forth, before giving up on the lemur - for now, at least. It flutters a tad closer, though still well out of arms reach, caution clear in its motion. It seems to have little trouble holding itself aloft as if floating on an invisible pool of water...that was also bobbing up and down at regular intervals. "For free?" The creature's high pitched voice would be piercing if it spoke any louder. Its wide eyes slim down slightly with suspicion. "Man not want trade?"

[RandomWombat]

Cheerful Sam Half-Dragon Warlock | Imp Familiar AC: 12 HP: 39/39 | AC: 13 HP: 10/10 PP: 10|14 PIv: 15|10 PIs: 11|13 Conditions: --- | -- Unable to make out much of the room, or any details of the bones, Sam remains quiet near the rear of the group to avoid drawing any attention to them. He waits for confirmation from the others before making any attempt to talk or to attack, but even he can see the blood around the peoples' mouths. Thoughts of werewolves are foremost in his mind.

[Spore]

Senna Human Arcana Cleric AC: 18 HP: 33/33 PP: 17 PIv: 12 PIs: 17 Conditions: - Concentration:- Senna's heart races as she finally notices the bloody spectacle in front of her. Cannibalism was obvious, but where the three in front of her the victims or the tormentors? The cleric's head started spinning as she took a glance of what can only feasibly be a child's pelvic bone. She gesticulates heavily towards the party, fearful of leaving her place and revealing the whole magically camouflaged group. Caelyn's magic was a subtle one, but it was useless if she directly dragged attention towards the entire group. The glyphscribe hated scenes like these. She read more about morality than she cared to admit, and while her beliefs gave her a strong system to solve such conundrums, her academic heart could not ignore the possibility of capture and thus cannibalism as a means to survive. As faintly as possible she whispers. These cannibals could still be victims. Let us talk but keep your guard up.

[cigaw]

Melian Galanodel Eladrin Bladesinger AC: 13 HP: 34/34 PP: 14 PIv: 17 PIs: 11 Conditions: -- Concentrating: -- Melian smiles warmly at the faerie dragon. So it can speak! She reaches into her pack methodically, trying to convey a nonthreatening demeanor. "Yes, freely given in friendship," she says to the diminutive dragon while picking some dried fruit and fresh berries from her pack. She slices a couple slivers of dried beef and a small hunk of cheese and hands these to her familiar alongside the fruit. Fëanáro comes a little closer to the faerie dragon and gingerly places the offering of food on the ground before claiming a bit of jerky for himself and flitting a few feet away. He purrs and gnaws contentedly at the meat. "If a trade is more to your liking, I would know of you. You're the first faerie dragon I've met and I know little of your kind. I am called Melian and this," she waves at her familiar, "Is my companion Fëanáro. Do you have a name?"

[RandomWombat]

Cheerful Sam Half-Dragon Warlock | Imp Familiar AC: 12 HP: 39/39 | AC: 13 HP: 10/10 PP: 10|14 PIv: 15|10 PIs: 11|13 Conditions: --- | -- The word 'cannibalism' whispered next to him invokes both a paling in the softer tissues around Sam's eyes, and a visible tightening of his hands into fists. His eyes flick again to the bones piled in the room, and then to the peoples' bloody mouths. He points to the greataxe resting next to the strangers. "That must be what shattered the shield. I think these are werewolves."